Cover L♡ver Book Review

As the Tide Comes In  is a highly emotional read. I turned the pages with hope in my heart, tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. Grief is a powerful emotion, and one that almost anyone can relate to. We all have (or will be) touched by it and will ultimately grow from it. God uses us a vessel of love and it’s quite an enriching and healing gift to give.  Though the plot is thick with grief, it is also encircled in love, friendship, hope, and delight. God knows our beginning and end, and our perseverance through the valleys of life is what reveals the full blessings of the peaks. This is a lovely story with rich characters and a strong theme. A story that causes reflection on your own life, and hopefully strengthens your faith and hope. 4 Stars Cover : Like Title : Love Pages : 352 Publisher:  Waterbrook First Lines:  The canvas painting on the wall called to Tara as she walked back into the kitchen, this time her arms filled rock-climbing gear. I was

Blog Tour July 30th to August 10th   The Songs of You and Me by Mylissa Demeyere Jane Hartford fell head over heels for Jackson at the tender age of fifteen. She spent most of high school pining for him, until she realized he wasn’t going to see her as anything more than his baby sister’s best friend. Now she finds herself single with a daughter, a broken heart, and songs that remind her of a long lost love. Jackson Wright is a man living with regret. His biggest one, never acting on his feelings for Jane. When he returns to Bellebrook, the town they grew up in, he literally runs into her and his world gets tossed upside down and sideways. This time, Jackson isn’t willing to give up. With a meddling sister eager to push both of them together, he believes things might actually work out. That is, if they can overcome the heavy baggage they both carry. Follow Jackson and Jane as they revisit their past, figuring out what went wrong so long ago. Will they learn they have th

The Patriot Bride  is book #4 in  The Daughters of the Mayflower  series. The series is written by various authors, and each story has it’s own unique feel. This one is my favorite so far. (Read in one sitting!) Some of my favorite stories are those that blend fiction with history and have a spiritual thread throughout. I love learning something new and each of these books has taught me so much.  The main characters, Faith and Matthew, are interesting, flawed (the secondary characters as well) and I was quickly drawn into their lives. The story is filled with suspense and danger, and carries spiritual themes of freedom, faith, and courage. 4 Stars Cover : Like Title : Love Pages : 256 Series : Daughters of the Mayflower #4 Publisher:  Barbour Books First Line (prologue) : Ten-year-old Faith Lytton placed her hands on her hips—like Mama did when she was exasperated—and looked at the sad little group of puny troops allotted to her.  I received a complimen

On Tour with Prism Book Tours Book Tour Grand Finale for Legacy of the Heart B y Danica Favorite, Stacy Henrie, Tina Radcliffe, Terri Reed & Sherri Shackelford We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below: Launch - Note from Stacy Henrie Thanks for being a part of the LEGACY OF THE HEART tour. . . . We hope you enjoy this collection of sweet inspirational romance. — Stacy Reading Is My SuperPower - Review "If you love a mix of historical and contemporary, this is the perfect collection for you. Each story gives readers a taste of each individual author’s style and voice, so it’s also a great way to ‘meet’ some authors you’ve perhaps never read before. The stories are all unique and sweet, with tender romance, humor, and lots of heart. A great weekend read!" Uplifting Reads - Review "So these five stories, all woven together by this mystical locket,

The stunning cover art of  Engraved on the Heart  caught my attention, and the blurb intrigued me. The author described life during the tumultuous Civil War so well, and I was quickly drawn into the story by the great characters. Keziah (Kizzie) Montgomery is thought of as a weak invalid, even by her well meaning parents who shield her from life’s hardships. Her dreams of living a normal life seems out of reach until Micah, a former schoolmate and now doctor, reappears in her life. Micah opens Kizzie’s eyes to the hardships of slavery and the quest for freedom, and she begins to share his passion. He offers medical suggestions to improve her condition, however her parents, unyielding Confederates, despise him and shun any medical help he offers. Numerous hardships fall upon Kizzie and her family, including death, sickness, and an unwanted promise to marry (to name a few.) The story has many twists, heartbreaks, and discoveries, and Kizzie’s growth is substantial. T

The Cow Said Neigh!  is such a cute board book. It shares a wonderful soft theme of embracing our differences.  The cadence of the rhyming story is fun to read and the silly noises and thoughts of the farm animals are sure to delight young children. I’ve read Rory Feek’s two non-fiction books, and it is evident he is a strong storyteller. This children’s book also shows his light and youthful sense of humor. The colorful illustrations are fun and engaging, adding much to this whimsical farm story.  5 Stars Cover:  Love Title:  Love Publisher:  Thomas Nelson  Pages:  26 Target Age:  up to 8 years I was blessed to receive a complimentary ecopy from Edelweiss.

The Edge of Over There  is very different than I expected. It doesn’t feel or read like a Christian fiction book. I don’t normally read fantasy novels, and that’s what this book seems to be, so it is far from my preferred genre(s) and carries too dark of a feel and theme for me. The writing is crisp and clear, but the plot doesn’t interest me much and I found myself skimming pages. I suppose those who enjoy fantasy anticipate this type of theme with a dark ambiance, but it is too heavy and gloomy for my taste. I expected something softer, more inspiring. 3 Stars Cover:  Okay Title:  Like Publisher:  Revell  Pages:  384 First Line:  Abra could almost feel the rain, even though it was only a dream. I received a complimentary copy from Revell.

As with the first book in the series (A Dangerous Legacy) I learned a lot by reading  A Daring Venture . The first book provided interesting information on how the AP and Reuters transmitted information to news agencies and about the first trans-pacific cable. This book taught me about the history of 1890s water filtration and chlorination. I love it when history melds with fiction and teaches me something new. Another thing in common with the first book (unfortunately) is that I found it difficult to connect with the female lead (Rosalind.) The male lead (Nick) had his own issues, hot-tempered and arrogant, but I connected more with him due to his underlying strength, depth, and vulnerability.  This story feels more plot-driven than character-driven (my preference) but is an overall enjoyable and educational story. Great cover art, significant research by the author, and a stunning first line. 3.5 Stars Cover:  Love Title:  Love Publisher:  Bethany House 

I loved so much about this book – beginning with the setting. Having lived in, and visited the Appalachian area, I can easily picture this backdrop. The characters are rich and lively (I don’t think I’ve read a book with a deaf character before) and the plot carries a lot of depth and a myriad of themes. There are many things I don’t usually find in Christian fiction, such as alcohol (cider) and such, but it fits so well into the setting, time, and story. Everything is done tastefully without straying from the spiritual aspect of the story. With great pacing, interesting flawed characters, and a spiritual thread throughout, this book put me through a mixture of emotions.  Sons of Blackbird Mountain  will appeal to those who enjoy christian and historical fiction. I look forward to reading more stories by Joanne Bischof. 4 Stars Cover : Love Title : Love Pages : 352 Series : A Blackbird Mountain Novel Book 1 Publisher:  Thomas Nelson First Line : Aven pe

First Impression Reviews are written after reading the initial ARC chapters of a book. They are not whole-book, full-story reviews. I don’t normally read fantasy or YA stories, but the writing in this book is engaging and interesting. It’s surprising to me to be drawn in so easily to a fantasy genre story.  To be honest, I probably won’t continue reading this tale, but I’m impressed with the writing and unique plot. The writer’s voice is crisp and memorable, and the dialogue is authentic. I love cover art, but this one doesn’t really pull me in—probably due to not being a fan of the fantasy genre—but the feather definitely piqued my interest. I received an ARC excerpt from BOOKishFIRST. #MagicalMafia

First Impression Reviews are written after reading the initial ARC chapters of a book. They are not whole-book, full-story reviews. This is an emotional mystery. Caroline is experiencing a potentially life altering pregnancy when she learns of heart issues in her unborn child, and Hunter’s mysterious entry into the story alters things even greater. Hunter’s dilemma intrigued me enough to learn more about him, and the opening scene in a PT Center setting is one in which I’m familiar. Depression is a prominent problem in society, so I hope it is addressed well in this book. I sympathize with Caroline and Hunter even though I know little about their predicament, and certainly want to read more of the story. The 1970s is an interesting time, and having lived through them, brings a bit of nostalgia to the story. With interesting characters, time period, and Midwest setting, this book is sure to appeal to many. I received an ARC excerpt from BOOKishFIRST. #AfterT

First Impression Reviews are written after reading the initial ARC chapters of a book. They are not whole-book, full-story reviews. Having lived in the Midwest when I was young, the setting intrigues me. But what ultimately draws me fully into a book is the characters and the writer’s voice. Being told in first person keeps me in the narrator’s head, feeling his emotions, living through his experiences. I’ve worked with clients who’ve undergone TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) and have learned some of the hardships that run alongside them. This story holds an intriguing concept, and the preview has piqued my interest. I received an ARC excerpt from BOOKishFIRST. #NewLifeWanderer

First Impression Reviews are written after reading the initial ARC chapters of a book. They are not whole-book, full-story reviews. I'm so impressed with the provided first impression that I'm using my collected point to insure I get a copy! I've been published in fiction and non-fiction venues, yet still found valuable information I wasn't aware of. I love the author's writer's voice and how she exposes her vulnerabilities. Definitely a keeper. I received an ARC excerpt from BOOKishFIRST. #EverybodyHasAStory

On Tour with  Prism Book Tours Book Tour Grand Finale for Stolen Obsession By  Marlene M. Bell We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below: Launch - Author Interview Q: What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it? A: There are many morals in this book. Here are the top three: First, you are stronger than you think you are. Shown by Annalisse’s trials with personal loss and helping those around her. Secondly, keep those around you close to your heart because you never know when they can be taken away. Annalisse experiences a great deal of personal loss. Third, judge people not by what others say about them, but by how they truly are. Give people a chance to redeem any negative qualities that come from hearsay. Annalisse learns this with Alec Zavos, her love interest in Stolen Obsession. The tabloids paint him with a broad womanizer brush, and Annalisse takes